Arsenal Celebrate Big Win but New-Look Squad Still Has Work Ahead
Arsenal began their season with three points and a win at Old Trafford, but their performance has sparked speculation about what the season may contain.
Mikel Arteta said his team was not at their best, and it was only the first game of the season, with new players settling in, but the ability to obtain a victory even while not playing well could be crucial for the Gunners as they attempt to win a trophy this season.
Manchester United pressed Arsenal back for significant portions of the game, with 61% possession and 22 shots as they attempted to tie the score, but the visitors held them off.
Mikel Arteta said his team was not at their best, and it was only the first game of the season, with new players settling in, but the ability to obtain a victory even while not playing well could be crucial for the Gunners as they attempt to win a trophy this season.
Manchester United pressed Arsenal back for significant portions of the game, with 61% possession and 22 shots as they attempted to tie the score, but the visitors held them off.
Arsenal appeared unusually open at times in the first half, with Arteta particularly lively in his technical area.
Arteta, what did you try?
Arteta, what did you try?
Arsenal has adopted a new, more aggressive style of play this season in order to maximise the potential of £64 million attacker Viktor Gyokeres.
However, Gyokeres appeared to be lacking in match fitness, and despite Arteta's statement that the forward "did a lot of things very well," he added that he and his team must "work on" Gyokeres' pushing.
Arteta also stated that his team did not take advantage of enough opportunities to play the ball behind United's defenders, which would have demonstrated Gyokeres' abilities, and that they missed "seven or eight situations when the ball is completely open to play through" to assault the goal.
Gyokeres failed to take a single shot in a league game for the first time since April 2023, when he played for Coventry City against Blackburn Rovers in the Championship, snapping a 69-game streak.
Danny Murphy, a former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder, told BBC Match of the Day: "I felt for him a little." His stats aren't great, but he relies on other players.
Gyokeres failed to take a single shot in a league game for the first time since April 2023, when he played for Coventry City against Blackburn Rovers in the Championship, snapping a 69-game streak.
Danny Murphy, a former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder, told BBC Match of the Day: "I felt for him a little." His stats aren't great, but he relies on other players.
Arsenal has fantastic creative players, but they weren't quite at their peak. Allow him to settle in; every player needs to establish ties with other players."
Ex-England striker Daniel Sturridge told Sky Sports: "Arsenal have been playing with a striker in Kai Havertz who is very different from Gyokeres, so it does take time to adjust to the new player's runs."
"He will also have to change his game; it is not just the team that will change for him, but he will change for the squad. That is what it takes to hit the ground running."
Match-winner Riccardo Calafiori was chosen at left-back for his unpredictability in attack, but his forward runs left Bryan Mbeumo free, allowing the United assault to face problems.
Ex-England striker Daniel Sturridge told Sky Sports: "Arsenal have been playing with a striker in Kai Havertz who is very different from Gyokeres, so it does take time to adjust to the new player's runs."
"He will also have to change his game; it is not just the team that will change for him, but he will change for the squad. That is what it takes to hit the ground running."
Match-winner Riccardo Calafiori was chosen at left-back for his unpredictability in attack, but his forward runs left Bryan Mbeumo free, allowing the United assault to face problems.
Martin Zubimendi had his maiden start in midfield, partnering Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, but the trio appears to need more time to click.
The relevance of set pieces
Arsenal has become well-known for its threat in dead-ball situations, and they have improved since set-piece coach Nicolas Jover joined in 2021.
Calafiori's goal was their 31st from a corner since the beginning of 2023-24, with Liverpool trailing behind with 20.
The relevance of set pieces
Arsenal has become well-known for its threat in dead-ball situations, and they have improved since set-piece coach Nicolas Jover joined in 2021.
Calafiori's goal was their 31st from a corner since the beginning of 2023-24, with Liverpool trailing behind with 20.
The goal came from a new routine they performed during preseason, in which five players lined up along the border of the penalty area before the ball was swung in.
The Gunners' offensive did not click during the encounter, and Arteta will be relieved that their set-piece proficiency earned them an important opening-day three points.
Can they claim the title?
After the final whistle, the Arsenal players celebrated in front of their fans, and Arteta was asked by BBC Sport in his news conference if he saw anything positive in the way they won the game.
"That gives you momentum and confidence. Arteta stated, "Two very important things."
"We can still come away with the win. To accomplish this, the squad must develop resilience throughout the season, in various circumstances, for a period of ten months.
"We can still come away with the win. To accomplish this, the squad must develop resilience throughout the season, in various circumstances, for a period of ten months.
"Of course, we have to improve a lot of things, and that will happen very soon, but in terms of managing to get that into a very positive result, that is a great way to do it."
Clinton Morrison, a former Crystal Palace and Republic of Ireland striker, told BBC Radio 5 Live that Arsenal's attributes might be a precursor of a successful season.
He said, "That's the sign of champions when you don't play well and still get the three points.
"The difference was in goalkeepers. David Raya was outstanding, and Altay Bayindir made a huge mistake.
"Viktor Gyokeres ate leftovers. It is difficult for him. He's got a lot more to give."
Clinton Morrison, a former Crystal Palace and Republic of Ireland striker, told BBC Radio 5 Live that Arsenal's attributes might be a precursor of a successful season.
He said, "That's the sign of champions when you don't play well and still get the three points.
"The difference was in goalkeepers. David Raya was outstanding, and Altay Bayindir made a huge mistake.
"Viktor Gyokeres ate leftovers. It is difficult for him. He's got a lot more to give."
Gary Neville, a former Manchester United player and Sky pundit, stated that "Arsenal had to change" as a result of their first-half performance.
He went onto say: "The front three, especially the wide players, were not playing anywhere near good enough in this game."
"Arsenal dug in and demonstrated remarkable tenacity. Arsenal were never at their best, but coming here to Old Trafford or to Manchester City and getting three points is significant."
He went onto say: "The front three, especially the wide players, were not playing anywhere near good enough in this game."
"Arsenal dug in and demonstrated remarkable tenacity. Arsenal were never at their best, but coming here to Old Trafford or to Manchester City and getting three points is significant."